Major Milestone reached at the £290m M3 Junction 9 Upgrade as New Bridge Beams Installed
A significant milestone has been reached in the £290 million M3 Junction 9 Improvements Project near Winchester, following the successful installation of the new northern and southern gyratory bridge beams during two planned weekend closures of the motorway.
VolkerFitzpatrick, working in partnership with Balfour Beatty (VFBB), completed the complex engineering operation across two consecutive weekends in February on behalf of National Highways.
The work involved a 750‑tonne crane lifting and positioning 100‑tonne, 48‑metre steel beams onto new abutments, forming the structure of the realigned Junction 9 gyratory.
The Government‑funded scheme aims to tackle long‑standing congestion at one of the South’s busiest interchanges, delivering smoother journeys and strengthening the connection between the M3 and the A34.
The bridge beam installation marks major progress on a programme set to provide long‑term benefits for road users, freight operators and nearby communities.
With full motorway closures in place across both weekends, teams worked around the clock to ensure the challenging lifts were completed safely and efficiently.
This route serves as a vital corridor for freight travelling between the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth and destinations in the Midlands.
When complete, the upgraded junction is expected to ease bottlenecks, enhance reliability for long‑distance journeys, and support economic growth across South Hampshire and beyond.
Project leaders praised the collaborative effort behind the operation, describing it as a demonstration of engineering excellence at a critical point in the works.
“The successful installation of the new gyratory bridge beams marks a major milestone for the project and is a testament to the exceptional planning, engineering expertise and teamwork across VFBB. Completing two complex lifts in such a short timeframe, and under full motorway closures, required absolute precision and seamless collaboration. I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved. This achievement brings us another step closer to delivering a junction that will significantly improve journeys, strengthen the regional network, and provide long lasting benefits for road users and local communities.”
Deon Scholtz Divisional Director
